Parking during Snow/Ice Events

When snow is in the forecast, please park off the street whenever possible. Cars and other privately owned vehicles parked on the street are the greatest obstacle for our City plows when they clear the streets.

Tips for Parking during Snow Events

Park off the street and in your driveway.

If you don’t have a driveway, work with your neighbors to park on one side of the road. That way the City can plow as much of the street as possible.

Park close to the curb. Vehicles parked more than 12 inches from the curb may be ticketed or towed as this severely limits the passage of snow plow trucks. Vehicles parked in the middle of the street will be ticketed and towed.

Remember: The more snow the plow can remove, the easier it is for you to get to work, school or wherever you need to go!

Shoveling Snow

Driveways

The City endeavors to clear as much snow and ice from the road as possible to expedite traffic and make travel safer. When City snow plow trucks clear roads, they’ll make multiple passes up and down the roads over an extended period of time. While snow is not intentionally pushed into residential driveways, unfortunately it’s unavoidable and snow will accumulate.

The City recommends that residents wait until the snow plows finish clearing the streets before shoveling driveway entrances.

Sidewalks

Residents are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks along their property. It’s also recommended to wait until the snow plows finish, because snow cleared from the roads can push into sidewalks.

SNOW REMOVAL RESOURCES FOR SENIOR AND/OR DISABLED RESIDENTS

Need help with removing snow? Two local organizations can help.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors-College Park is a 501c3 volunteer-based service organization created to assist disabled and aging College Park residents with everyday tasks such as transportation, chores and/or errands. For more information, to request assistance or to volunteer, contact them at 301-222- 3434 or through their website nhn-cp.org.

The UMD fraternity Phi Psi Friends may be able to help. They can be contacted through their website http://phipsiumd.com Go to service/Phi Psi Friends and fill out their form.

Tips for Shoveling Snow

Shovel snow to the right (when you’re facing the street). It’s not only more efficient, but it will prevent snow from clogging up the street again.

City crews don’t clear blocked storm drains or fire hydrants, so work with neighbors to make them accessible. Help emergency crews get to their emergencies faster by clearing fire hydrants.

Snow Emergency Tips

Refuse, Recycling and other Collection Pickups

Plan to put out your refuse and recycling on your regularly scheduled collection dates. City crews will make every effort to maintain collection schedules, but may not be able to do so due to hazardous conditions. Updates to collection schedules will be posted on the City’s website, all City social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and emailed (sign up here). You can also contact the Department for more information 240-487-3590.

Fences and Mailboxes

The City’s Snow Crew are trained professionals that aim to clear the streets as cleanly and quickly as possible. Make sure that if your fence or mailbox abuts a City street, that it be constructed to withstand the force of snow pushed from the streets by snow plows as the City is not responsible for replacing or repairing property damaged by snow.

Motorists & Snowplows

Please do not follow snow plows too closely. They will stop and back up and it can be difficult to move out of the way if you are right behind them. These trucks will also be spreading salt and it could come in contact with your car if you follow too closely. Snow plows are not authorized to pull out vehicles that are stuck in the snow.

Streets not maintained by the City

The City can only plow or treat City owned streets. If there are issues with snow and ice (or anything else for that matter) on non-City streets, you need to contact the appropriate agency.

Updates During Winter Emergencies

The Department of Public Works plows and treats City maintained streets and City parking lots to clear snow and ice during winter storms. Public Works crews are staffed around the clock during snow emergencies to clear the 51 road miles of City streets. For questions, or to report a City road that hasn't been plowed, please contact the Department at 240-487-3590.

City Snow Plan

When snow or ice is in the forecast or imminent, the City will take the following steps:

Snow removal equipment will be dispatched to predetermined routes when snow or ice is imminent. Depending upon the weather forecast, some streets may be pretreated with a brine solution. Salting operations may begin at the onset of precipitation, depending on pavement temperature and forecast.

Snow removal routes are divided into primary and secondary streets. Primary streets will be treated and/or cleared first, followed by secondary streets.

Plowing Operations will begin when enough snow has accumulated on the pavement to effectively push snow off the roadway. Most Department plows are equipped with a durable ceramic rubber plow blade which clears snow effectively without damaging the road surface, speed humps and manholes.